Work Text:
September 1979
The sun was setting over the mountains leaving a golden haze around the field that they had sat themselves in. The smell of wildflowers permeated the wind as it blew around them at a lax speed. They knew that their time was coming to an end.
“When do you leave?” He asked her as he stared into her big brown eyes. The same big brown eyes that drove him mad but felt like home. For two years she had been in his life, changing it for the better. But now she was leaving and there was nothing that he could do about it.
“Soon, my time here is finished. I have done everything that I came here to do.” She sighed the last of her sentence while lying back on the blanket that she had brought to cover the grass. Her hair surrounding her like a halo of chocolate curls. She looked tired; she probably was. The final battle was last week, there had hardly been any time to rest since then. Most of their time had been used to cover up her tracks in the war. Hardly anyone could know of her involvement.
“I brought us a goodbye dinner; the time turner is set for midnight. Baby Hermione will be born at 12:02 AM. I must be gone before then. We wouldn’t want to create a paradox and unravel all our hard work, now, would we?” She grinned, trying to ease the tension.
He felt the rush of heat in his eyes, her leaving was the worst thing that could happen to him. She had saved their lives and now she was willingly leaving him behind to live his life without her. After everything that he had been through, this was the last straw; it wasn’t fair.
He rubbed his hands down his face and looked out to the mountains. What was he to do now? There will be 11 years until he would see her again. But she will be a child. She would grow up with his god son and not be the same girl that lay beside him on this blanket. She wouldn’t remember all the late nights, the near-death experiences, or their time together. He would have to look at a child that would eventually grow up to be a shadow of the girl that he spent his time with; the first girl he ever loved. He wasn’t even positive that she would be able to come back to him in the future. The arithmancy showed that it was possible, but it wasn’t set in stone. This wasn’t a risk he was willing to take.
She sat up and grabbed the basket. “I brought light food. Traveling through time will surely make me sick if I left on a full stomach. I hope you like sandwiches and fruit.” She smiled at him and handed over a half of sandwich.
Sirius knew he could stay in this spot forever, just watching her do mundane things. He loved the wild spirit she had, but she was her most beautiful when she was just her. The way she picked the crust off her sandwiches to eat them first. To how her eyes lit up at the taste of a strawberry. She was the sun on a dreary day.
He sat the sandwich down and pulled out his cigarettes. Taking a deep drag to try and stop his heart from exploding from sadness. “I can’t believe this will be the last time we see each other like this. Future Hermione won’t remember me. What am I to do? How could you let me fall in love with you knowing it was for such a short time?”
She looked contemplative. Sighing she moved the food off her and straddled his lap. Wrapping her arms around his torso she whispered. “Sirius, September 19th, 1998, at exactly midnight I will arrive at Potter Cottage. I will remember you then and not a moment before. When making the decision to come back in time to fix what was broken; I never would have thought we would end up here. I am so very sorry that you will have 18 years before we can speak of this together. But I came to back so you, Harry, Lily, James, Remus and so many more could have a better life. You do not have to wait for me, Sirius. You can move on and find a girl who treats you like you deserve. Do what you need to do to make yourself whole. That is all I’ve ever wanted for you.” She looked so earnest. A sob broke from Sirius’ chest.
He pulled her in and kissed her so forcefully. The kiss tasted of strawberry, salty tears and cigarettes. He loved her, he knew he did. Anyone who met her loved her, how could they not? The kiss became more intense. He wanted to pour all his love into this one kiss so that maybe she would stay. Maybe he would be enough for her to stay.
She trailed her hands under his shirt and ghosted her fingers down his chest. Sirius let out a soft whimper at the feeling of her teasing touches. Breaking off from her lips he started sucking on the side of her neck. The feeling of her rocking her hips on his lap was the indication he needed to keep going.
He pulled her from his lap and laid her down on the blanket, a protest on her lips. “Let me give you a goodbye to remember. I have 18 years that I must agonize through.” Whilst he made quick work of removing his clothes, she did the same. Crawling between her legs he rubbed himself between her thighs, she let out a soft mewl. Pushing himself in slowly until he was fully seated in her. He started soft thrusts until she wrapped her legs around his waist.
“Sirius, please.” She begged him. He increased his speed until his rhythm became erratic. Reaching between them, he rubbed her clit. He started to feel the flutter of her around him and as she came undone, he was mesmerized by her beauty. She was the golden hour in at the end of the day. He finally followed her over the edge.
Collapsing on top of her, the words “I love you” were on his lips. He just couldn’t say them out loud. He rolled off her and pulled her close. “I don’t know how to do this without you, Hermione.”
She looked at him with a sad smile. “You did it without me before, and you can do it again. This isn’t goodbye forever; I truly believe everything will work out.” She lay her head on his chest and kissed the center of it.
She pulled away at the sound of a bell going off. “It’s 11:58, it’s time for me to go.” He unwrapped his arms from around her and grabbed his pack of cigarettes, lighting one he took a drag from it as he watched her scramble to put her clothes back on.
Picking up her bag she removed the broken time turner she crafted to bring her back here. It started to glow a light pink. “Sirius take care of yourself, and I’ll see you soon. Oh, and by the way, you smell like an ashtray.” She winked at him and before he could tell her that he loved her, she was gone.
“FUCK!” He screamed to the wind. Picking up the basket, he threw it across the grass. Falling onto his knees, he started to sob.
—————18 years later—————
September 1998
The gathered people in the room sat waiting anxiously. Only few knew of Hermione’s identity and goal all those years ago, but everyone who did, sat waiting in this room for her return.
Present Hermione had already popped out of existence to go on her adventure through time, and now they wait for the return of past Hermione.
The group of people that sat in the room may seem odd to some people, but it was their family. James, Lily and Harry Potter sat on the chaise closest to the fire. The Potters had the most to thank this Hermione for. Without her valiant bravery they would not be here. They have tried to show their gratitude to the current Hermione throughout the years. But it truly wasn’t the same as she was not the girl to save their lives.
Harry was most confused when he was sat down and told the tale of her. He could not grasp how little Hermione Granger that he brought home his first Christmas from Hogwarts, was the girl who saved his parent’s life. His best friend that loved him so much that she traveled through time for him.
Remus Lupin sat on the sofa nearest the door. Past Hermione was the sister that Remus never had. Two peas in a pod those two were. Remus had published a set of muggle children’s books about an otter that went on a dalliance through time and space to save a wolf, dog, stag and doe. He wanted Hermione to be proud of him. Hermione had saved his life and secured his future. Remus now felt like he was a man to be proud of, regardless of him being a werewolf.
Regulus Black stood with his back against a bookshelf, firewhiskey in hand. The boy no one thought could be saved. Past Hermione had waltzed straight up to him and forced him to listen to her all those years ago. He looked at her as if she hung the moon back then and owed her not only his life, but his soul. He would never admit how much he missed her, but you could tell. He had spent the last 18 years shutting down old pureblood prejudices and building a new world; it was all in the name of Hermione.
Lastly, Sirius Black sat in an oversized armchair with a bright orange ball of fur on his lap. He was the most nervous for her return. The last 18 years for Sirius were a wild set of years. He and James both took up their familial seat on the Wizengamot and have been passing law after law to help remove the mistreatment of muggleborns and creatures. Both Sirius and Regulus have spent galleons and time to restore the name of their house. Regulus reinstated Sirius as heir and restored Andromeda’s seat in the family. Thanks to Regulus, Sirius was able to secure a future for Nymphadora and Teddy in the Black family. Narcissa and Draco followed suit by rejoining the family and removing any lingering blood prejudices.
When young Hermione was brought to Potter Cottage in her first year, it was easy to separate the Hermione that he knew with the present Hermione. They were two different people. However, he decided to never get too close to her. When she would come around, he would stay away. It was only right to not project his past feelings on a child. So, he waited for this day. To him it has been 18 years, but for her, it’ll only be minutes. He still remembered that night like it was yesterday. The look of her during sunset was breathtaking and would be tattooed on his heart for the rest of his life.
“I truly think that 18 years flew by, but the last 24 hours have taken 100 years.” James said. “You know, I never thanked her for everything she did for us. We were all so awful to her when she first started coming around. I have always felt so much guilt from how I treated her.”
“You lot did treat her awful. However, I think anyone would have been skeptical in your shoes. A random woman shows up to your doorstep, forces her way in and tells you that you will be dead within 9 months if you didn’t listen to her- “a laugh escape Sirius’s lips- “anyone would have reacted that way. She truly is a Gryffindor through and through.”
For the first time all evening Regulus barks out a laugh. “I don’t want to hear any of your pain. Imagine walking down Diagon Alley when suddenly, a short fiery brunette literally punches you in the face and kidnaps you. Takes you to your estranged brother and his friends to inform you that you will die at the hands of inferi, but not to worry because this woman whom you have never seen before will take care of it.” Regulus runs his hands through his hair while exhaling out a laugh.
“She only punched you in the face because you refused to come with her and then called her a filthy mudblood. You had it coming to you.” Remus drawled while examining his nails.
Regulus scoffed. “Who would have believed her? How long did it take for you to believe the fantastical story she had told? You cannot expect me to believe that you were immediately on her side. Also, I was with Rosier and Barty Crouch when she had approached me!”
“All of you stop! That was almost two decades ago! Stop fighting and be happy that she will be back with us soon! I for one am grateful that she did what she did for us. Regardless of how we reacted back then, it is in the past. She loved all of us back then. Be grateful that she forgave every one of us!” Lily huffed from her seat.
Before another word could be spoken the grandfather clock on the wall chimed. It was officially September 19th, 1998. She would arrive any minute, if it had worked.
The room became hushed. The only thing that was heard was the crackling of the fireplace. Every occupant of the room looked nervous and on edge.
Remus who had his head in his hands, nearly folded in half. James who was shaking his leg so hard, Sirius was surprised he hadn’t worn a hole in the floor. Harry who looked like he wasn’t sure what to do. Lily who picked at the skin around her nails. Regulus who was clutching his glass so hard that it was a wonder it hadn’t shattered. And finally, Sirius who had is hands wound in Crooks fur like he was clutching for a lifeline. “This had to work, she was never wrong.” Sirius kept repeating in his head.
The clock ticked and ticked a never-ending beat. What felt like a century later, a golden light engulfed the room. Every occupant rising to their feet at the disturbance.
Once the light cleared, a young woman stood in the center of the room. She looked up and immediately locked eyes with Sirius. Grey met brown and the world stopped. She looked the exact same that she had 18 years ago. Brown curls that surrounded her like a mane.
Slowly she quirked a grin. “All these years and you still smell like cigarettes.” She spoke.
He rushed forward and engulfed her in his arms. She still smelt like the wildflowers in the field that they sat in before she left. He ran his hands up her back and corded his fingers in the back of her hair. Slowly leaning forward, he kissed her slowly. “After all these years you still taste like strawberries.”
She broke away first, grinning from ear to ear. “So, I’ll take it you decided to wait for me?”
Sirius grabbed her by her waist and swung her around. “Witch, I would wait a million years for you.”
“Okay put me down! Put me down!” He sat her down while laughing. This was the moment he had waited for, 18 years of it.
A throat clearing reminded them that they were not alone in the room. He watched Hermione twirl around to see the other occupants of the room. The young green-eyed boy being her first target. “Oh Harry.” She exclaimed, promptly running into his arms. The last time that this Hermione had laid eyes on the boy, he had been dead. He was the reason that she had traveled back in the first place. This boy was wildly different that the one that she had knew. But he was family regardless.
“I understand that I am not your Hermione, technically. I have retained her memories, but I have my own memories as well. I am so incredibly happy that you were given a good life this time. That was all I had ever wanted for you. For you to have family.” She pulled back from the embrace and had tears streaming down her face. Sirius knew that this was emotionally hard for her, but she needed space to grieve.
Removing herself from the hug, she wiped at her eyes with the sleeves of her shirt. She huffed out a watery laugh. Walking over to the youngest Black brother, she engulfed him in a hug next. If it wasn’t such an emotional moment, Sirius would have laughed at the look on Regulus’ face,
“Look at you all grown up Reggie! Are those frown lines I see?” Hermione mockingly asked him.
Regulus scoffed at her. “Not all of us get to live two lives Minnie. Some of us had to grow old while we waited for you to join us, I for one was not one blessed with eternal youth. However, I do look better than Sirius and Potter.” James made a protest from across the room.
Hermione pushed back and brough Regulus to arm’s length, she had a contemplative look on her face. “I am so happy to see you alive this time, Regulus. Adulthood looks amazing on you. I hope you have lived an amazing life thus far.”
Regulus smiled at her, tears misting his eyes. “You know, if you would have told me 18 years ago that I would have missed you, I would have laughed in your face. But I am here to you that I have missed you, Minnie. It has been a long 18 years without you. Thank you for saving me.” Regulus pulled Hermione back in for a hug and they both cried. It hurt to remember that Regulus didn’t survive in Hermione’s original timeline. It was times like this that made Sirius realize how lucky he was to have met her.
Once the two had broken apart, Hermione took a second to collect herself. Sirius could see different emotions rolling off her shoulders. She had been through so much in last few weeks of her time. What had been 18 years for them was only a few hours for her. Once she felt herself calm, she turned to the rest of the occupants in the room.
“Remus...” she breathed as she crossed the room to embrace her old friend. Remus’s eyes flashed a slight gold as he held the girl in his arms. Remus had been the only one at first to believe her story. While everyone was suspicious of her, he believed. He claimed it was the wolf that gave him the security of knowing the truth, but who could call him a liar? The two stood in the middle of the room whimpering and whispering to each other.
“I can not wait to show you the books, you were right! They are a hit with the children! Also, Dora and Teddy are so excited to meet you. They know old Hermione, but they have yet to meet you. Teddy is already enamored with the stories I have told him. How was your trip back? Did everything go okay? I saved all your research like you asked me to so that you could entertain the idea of writing a book about time travel. Oh! How did you retain other Hermione’s memories? Will she…” Remus rambled on while holding Hermione’s hand. She just looked at him as if he had won gold at the Olympics.
“Remus, I am so incredibly proud of you. You seem so much happier this time around. However, let’s put a pin in these questions for a while. I would like to enjoy being back for a bit.” She laughed.
“I would not be here without you Mia. Merlin, I have missed you so much, you truly can never leave again!” She laughed harder at his statement.
“If it is amendable to everyone, I never plan on leaving again. Time travel is for the birds.”
“I think we would love for you to stay with us in this time.” Hermione turned to the only other occupants of the room. There stood James and Lily Potter; older than when she last saw them and healthier too. She slowly approached the pair before coming to a halt in front of them.
It was no secret that James and Lily Potter had not liked Hermione when she had first arrived in the past. They believed she was a death eater that was trying to set them up. When Hermione then brought up the idea that Peter was a traitor, it sent Lily over the edge. She kicked Hermione out of her house, and she was told to never return. Even Remus could not convince them that she was to be trusted. It took Hermione killing Riddle before James or Lily wanted to be in her presence. They had much to apologize for.
“I am glad to see that you both survived this time around. Thank you for giving my brother in all but blood a family.” At Hermione’s words, Lily broke down and grasped the girls’ shoulders.
“I truly can never apologize for how I treated you. You did not deserve to be ostracized by us; you were telling the truth. I wish to make it up to you. I am so sorry.” Lily said through her sobs. Hermione stood there and patted the woman on the back.
“Lily, I have never held any of that against you or James. I understand that it was hard to believe. I am just glad to be here and that you two are here as well. That was ultimately what I wanted out of the trip back.” Hermione whispered to the woman.
James stepped up next. “No Hermione, you do not understand. We have spent our time without you realizing our mistakes. We all owe you life debts, but on top of the; we owe you so much more. What we are trying to say is, may we start over? May we become the friends now that we should have back then?”
Hermione stepped back and looked at the couple in front of her. They seemed sorry enough, and earnest at least. “I would love that.” She held out her hand. “Hello, I am Hermione Granger; and you are?”
James held his out first, grasping hers and shaking. “Hello, I am James Potter, it is very nice to meet you Hermione.” Once James finishes shaking her hand, he steps back.
Lily stepped forward next and grasps Hermione’s hand. “Hello Hermione Granger, it is amazing meeting you dear.” She finishes the shake and steps back to stand beside of her husband.
Now that James and Lily had moved away from her, Hermione stood alone in the middle of the room. She turned and faced each of the occupants one by one until her eyes locked on Sirius’. “Siri I would like to go home if you do not mind.”
Sirius grinned at her from where he stood by the chair. “Your wish is my command.” Grabbing her hand he disaperated on the spot landing them in the middle of the foyer of Black manor. He let her hand go and she peered around her, taking in her surroundings.
“So, we aren’t at Grimmauld Place?” She asked. He scoffed.
“I can not believe for one second that you would think that is where I would take you. Reggie doesn’t even live there. We both decided to make it unplottable a few years back. He lives in the Black family home in Wiltshire, to be close to Narcissa. I have taken over Black Manor in Wales. While we are on the topic I would like to give you a run down of the estate. We have 40 house elves that are employed by the Black family. Fifteen live in the manor as this is the head of the family. They are paid and happy. Andromeda, Dora and Teddy have been reinstated to the family as of Walburga’s death in 1989. You will have a personal elf by the name of Dory. She has served the last four Black wives; she will not take kindly to you dismissing her. I can give you a tour of the property tomorrow, if you would like?”
Hermione stared at him as if he had grown 3 heads. “Of course I would love a tour of our home.”
It was now Sirius’s turn to look at her funny. “You are agreeable, I mean to say you are happy at the idea of this being your home?” He so wished that she said yes.
She wrapped her arms around his torso. “Sirius, my home is wherever you are. Now can you please take me to bed, time travel really takes it out of a girl.”
He barked out a laugh, grabbed her around her waist and threw her over his shoulder. “I’m so glad to have you back.” He said to her as he lead her up the stairs to their room.
-Fin <3